Need house selling opinion

[AJR]

Hi MM!

Oldschool nest regular here. Been laying low due to some serious life changes on my end. When we last talked, DH was being an ass. Well, he's now STBXH. We are working through the most amicable divorce ever, I wrote our settlement and we were done with the lawyer in 45 minutes. We're both doing what's best for the kid, and we'll both be better for it.

We are also selling our house. Here's where I need the opinion. We had carpet in our main entryway, and predictably, it had taken a beating and must be replaced.

Underneath it is a 70s slate floor in good condition--hopefully you can see the photos, if not here is a link: slate floor. The rest of the house is lightly updated...very nuetral choices that fit in a traditional house built in 1970.

There's a section of the old carpet in the back near the stairs--that would come up but it's easier to leave the carpet tacks covered until I decide what to do. For *resale appeal*, would you proceed with restoring the slate, or put down new carpet?

Here are the details:

>For the slate option, I'll damage to the tiles on the perimeter taking up the carpet tack, the nails have some screw threading on them and either slough off layers of slate or break the stone when they come out (that's the other photo).
I sourced the slate to vermont, I can order matching stone for $50 for 10 sq ft shipped. I'd need to take up the tack, dig out the damaged tile, work with a contractor to cut and replace the new tile, then I'd probably re-grout the entire floor with a darker color so the floor has a more cohesive feel. Total cost: 200-300 plus a lot of my time and hassle. possibly some extra bucks for an area rug, if you think that's necessary.

>For carpet, I can get a remnant to fit the space. I'd probably go with a gray darker than the gray that borders it in one room and on the stairs. Materials and labor will run $500-600.

My concern is that the slate floor is dated or likely to turn buyers off. Frankly, though, I think carpet can do the same thing. Which is better?

[Pom]

I vote slate rather than carpet. Disclaimer: We actually have that slate in our vacation house entry way.

[jennistarr1]

leave the slate

[mellymel]

Hi!

Definitely the slate. I LOVE it! And generally, I think buyers would prefer the hard surface (easier to clean) than the carpet in that area.

Sorry to hear about your pending divorce.

[whitepicketfence]

I'd go with the slate.

[whitepicketfence]

Oh, and hi

I'm sorry to hear about your divorce. It's good to "see" you again, though.

[aspentosh]

Hi AJR. Sorry about your divorce

I think the slate is a good option.

[AJR]

Regarding a credit, not possible. There is exposed carpet tack under the strips of upside down carpet lining the walls., I can't leave that hanging out with my 3 yr old of with buyers coming through. Old carpet also sucked. I was going to just recarpet assuming the slate would be ugly or broken. Had to rethink the plan when the slate turned out in great shape!

So..area rug or leave it bare?

[Deleted]

We have slate, and I love it! Stick with that.

[takeonyou]

Stick with the slate.

[hurricanedrunk]

I really like the slate and a hard surface will be better for an entryway.

I'm sorry about your divorce.

[Deleted]

I think I'd redo the slate, I'd prefer it in an entryway over carpet, it looks great so I'm thinking carpet won't add anything and you'll probably get more money back for slate vs carpet. Mostly because I think most buyers will see carpet and think "I need to rip that out"


Sorry about your divorce.

[genet313]

I too really like the slate.  Keep it.  

[whitemerlot]

We just purchased a house with what I think is the exact same slate. I'd show a picture, but I'm not currently living there. We bought the house with some damage to the slate and missing grout. It was something we noticed, but not a big deal to us. I'm not sure how I feel about my slate floor because I generally like lighter colors, but it didn't turn me off from buying at all. Our house has some cosmetic renovating that needs to be done in most of the house.

I'd actually love a link to the slate you found to match.

[theintended]

Slate and don't bother with the area rug.

Sorry about the divorce, AJR, but glad to hear it's amicable.

[AJR]

Thanks for all the opinions. Definitely keeping it!

Here's the source for new tiles: www.vermontslatedepot.com/floor.html

I talked to Dave there, he's super nice. He's shipping me small samples ($10) so I can match up the colors. For repairs, there's a box containing 10 square feet of tiles in assorted colors/sizes. Cost is around $20 for the box, $15 for packaging it up for UPS, then whatever shipping a 40 pound box from vermont will cost you. for me, it'll be about $50. They will work with you to some extent on the mix of colors in the box. It helps to send them a photo of your floor so they can match the design with the tiles.

If you love my new floor so much you want one, I'm happy to sell you a house with it! Or, they can ship pallets of the material as well.

[goaskalice]

The slate is beautiful. Don't worry about a rug unless it's slippery with the winter weather.

[Muddled]

As a rule, I hate carpet and would much prefer the slate.